Dublin Club hurlers need Summer games says Baker

By Cóilín Duffy

09 October 2017

Kilmacud Crokes Hurling manager Ollie Baker says that the Dublin Club Championships need more Summer games, and not long lay-off's.

Speaking to FM104 Sport after his sides 0-17 to 0-15 Dublin Senior Hurling quarter-final win over Na Fianna, when asked about the current empasse in Dublin Hurling, the former Clare hurler says avoiding a big gap in games, and more regular hurling would go a long way.

"Hurling will progress in this county if they get back to playing hurling during the Summer, and playing club hurling during the Summer, " Baker said.

"There was a five-month hiatus in the Championship this season and I don't know for what any good reason.

"I think you need to get players playing hurling during the Summer - get them committed and get them playing meaningful competitive matches and then you see what they are made of, their worth."

"I think any county manager would be welcoming something like that to see what they are like," he said.

As Dublin Senior hurlers still await the appointment of a manager for 2018, Baker says that a more structured club Championship would be something that would certainly be attractive to a prospective boss.

"You just can't be picking off two or three different teams. That's not going to give you a broad enough base for a county team."

And Baker says there's plenty of good talent to fuel a strong county team in the Capital.

"Definitely I have no doubt that the clubs are here, and the hurlers are here.

"The interest and the commitment and the passion for hurling is certainly in the city."